A new elite unit was formed within the Civil Guard to secure air travel. This group travels on aircraft in what officials call hot flights, with dedicated security on board to protect passengers and crew.
The security escort unit, unveiled this Tuesday in Palma, marks a first for Spain though similar teams exist internationally. The Civil Guard opted to include this unit as a critical security asset. Agents assigned to the group travel in pairs and bring specialized skills in self defense, rapid operational response, and aviation awareness. They are expected to read passenger behavior, apply negotiation techniques, provide first aid, and demonstrate a solid command of English. In a highly unlikely scenario where two pilots lose control on a flight, these agents are trained to stabilize the aircraft and guide it safely to land on the runway.
Although the unit will not be centralized, the presentation in Palma aimed to coincide with an international gathering focused on flight safety. The meeting runs from yesterday and will continue through next Thursday. Aviation security professionals from Germany, Australia, Austria, the Netherlands, India, Israel, the Czech Republic, Romania, Singapore, Switzerland, Vietnam, and Spain are attending this international forum.
Experts will discuss issues related to intelligence, interoperability, detection of abnormal behavior, and management of confrontations with passengers during flights.
The ceremony announcing the elite unit that will be centralized in Madrid featured the deputy director of operations of the Civil Guard, Lieutenant General Paul Salas. Government representatives attended the event, including Aina Calvo and the Colonel-in-Chief of the Balearic Command, Alexander Hernandez. The aim was to position the unit as a key response capability in the wake of heightened security concerns in air travel.
The Civil Guard promoted the creation of the unit as a strategic outcome of a security posture aligned with international best practices. The deployment marks the first time Spanish law enforcement has placed combat-ready police assets on airplanes for proactive security work.
During the presentation, it was confirmed that these camouflage agents will mix with ordinary passengers while carrying their equipment. They will operate on both domestic and international routes. Flight assignments will be determined by parameters processed by the Civil Guard Information Service to identify the most appropriate hot flights for this program.
The unit will act as civil protection responders who intervene only when gate safety is at risk. They will not involve themselves in minor incidents. A hypothetical example would be a passenger attempting to open a door or assaulting pilots. In such cases, the agents would intervene to neutralize the threat and, if necessary, assume piloting responsibilities. It was also clarified that the presence of the agents on the flight is discreet and not disclosed to the airline crew or passengers.
In the latest briefing, Lieutenant General Pablo Salas emphasized the rigorous training undertaken to build this security unit. He highlighted tests conducted on European routes and North American flights without incident. The objective is to establish the unit as an international benchmark in aviation security and to maintain a high state of readiness for ever-evolving threats.
The head of the security escort unit addressed new dangers facing air transport. The message was clear: security forces must stay vigilant at all times to deter or respond quickly if a terrorist group attempts to hijack a plane or carry out an attack. The takeaway was simple and resolute: vigilance remains the core duty of this mission, and there is no room for complacency. Source: Civil Guard press briefing and international security forum notes